Sandhill cranes are back, and the Festival of the Cranes is filling up

Winter in New Mexico's Middle Rio Grande Valley is shaped by the arrival of thousands of migratory birds that descend upon the waters and agricultural fields of Bosque del Apache National Wildlife Refuge. Vast numbers of sandhill cranes, snow geese, ducks, and other traveling waterfowl congregate at the site every year. To mark the presence of these seasonal flocks, organizers have finalized plans for the 37th annual Festival of the Cranes, which will take place from December 2 to 5, 2026.

The winter event is co-hosted by the refuge and the nonprofit organization Friends of Bosque del Apache. Activities are arranged across two main hubs, using both the outdoor acreage of the refuge and the facilities at the City of Socorro Convention Center. This arrangement allows attendees to move between field observations along the wetland waters and indoor presentations held in town.

Guided tours and workshops

The newly released schedule presents more than 85 individual birding tours, photography workshops, hikes, and educational presentations tailored to different experience levels. To keep the programming widely accessible, 31 classes this year carry no fee for participants.

These activities allow visitors to focus on migratory bird identification, wetland habitat features, and technical camera practices under guided leadership. According to organizers, popular classes fill quickly as birders and photographers finalize their winter travel plans. Securing reservations in advance remains advisable for anyone hoping to join the most requested field trips.

Keynote presentations

Evening programs form a central part of the festival calendar, beginning with the opening night keynote on December 2. Dr. Rich Beilfuss of the International Crane Foundation will deliver the initial address, offering his perspective on crane research and crane conservation to kick off the four-day gathering.

Programming continues on December 3 with the annual dinner keynote, presented by conservation photographer Michael Forsberg. His talk, titled Into Whooperland, will share insights and visual documentation from his work following crane species across their natural habitats.

Regional excursions

In addition to activities set directly within the refuge boundaries, the festival itinerary extends out into neighboring locations across the surrounding desert landscape. Participants can sign up for guided outings into the geological formations of San Lorenzo Canyon, or explore the open habitats protected within Sevilleta National Wildlife Refuge.

A specialized photography excursion is also planned at the Very Large Array, where participants can frame images of the iconic radio astronomy dishes set against the expansive high-desert sky. Together, these varied tours provide an introduction to the landscapes and wildlife that make the Middle Rio Grande Valley a focal point for birders each winter.